Chelsea back Rafael Benítez despite rant against fans and hierarchy
Benítez launched an impassioned monologue following the holders' 2-0 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, sparking suggestions that the board could end his tenure before his contract runs out in May.
However, Chelsea insisted that it was "business as usual", with Benítez taking training on Thursday. It is understood that while there was surprise within the hierarchy at Benítez's criticism - especially over his interim title when he accepted the role from the beginning - there is some sympathy for the manager given the constant abuse he has suffered from fans since his appointment. The club believe Benítez's frustrations were aimed at those supporters, rather than the owner Roman Abramovich.
While a number of former players on Thursday led calls for Benítez to be relieved of his duties immediately, the board are focused on the game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and ensuring a top four finish this season.
Benítez said: "I have a title. Someone decided the title would be 'interim'. Why? Just in case? If they want to blame me for everything that is wrong and then they say, 'We will put interim just in case', fine, that is your decision.
"I don't agree but it's your decision and now everybody has to take responsibility. If we are in the Champions League, I will be the happiest man in the world.
"But I will leave anyway because I have finished my contract, so they [his critics] don't need to be worried about me. What they have to do is concentrate on supporting the team.
"I have a contract until the end of the season, that's it, so they don't need to be worried about me."
Benítez insisted the Chelsea fans who once again chanted against him at the Riverside Stadium were in the minority, but urged them to look at the bigger picture.
He said: "It's a team in transition - they don't realise. In the past, we had [Didier] Drogba, [Michael] Essien, [Salomon] Kalou. These players, it was a very strong squad, players with experience in the Premier League.
"Now we have a group of players with talent, really good players with talent, but they need time. It's a time of transition.
"But they don't realise it was a time of transition when I came here. It doesn't matter what they say. I am a professional, I have experience and I will do my best.
"But if they carry on in the same way, they have to take responsibility because they are damaging the image of the club and the rest of the fans because people think all the fans are the same.
"The Chelsea fans are really good, they support the team, but if they continue with their agenda, I don't think they do any favours to the team."
